Chapter 2: I Took the Lead in Opposing the Enfeoffment System

“I object.”

“What did you say?” Zhu Yuanzhang rubbed his ear, thinking he must have misheard.

“I object to the enfeoffment system,” Zhu Zhu repeated firmly.

“Are you feeling alright, boy? Don’t tell me you’ve got a fever?”

Zhu Yuanzhang touched his forehead, then his own, wondering if he had gotten rusty from not disciplining the boy for so long and accidentally knocked some sense out of him.

Then, considering that the boy was only eight years old with barely any sign of maturity, he patiently explained, “The enfeoffment system is an old tradition. Back in the day, the White Horse Oath sworn by Emperor Gaozu of Han stipulated that only members of the Liu family could be kings. Without enfeoffing the Liu princes, the Lü clan would have long since usurped the Liu family’s throne during the turmoil.”

“But Father, the enfeoffment system also led to the Rebellion of the Seven States during Emperor Jing’s reign. Moreover, after Emperor Wu widely implemented the policy of ‘reducing enfeoffments,’ the system was effectively defunct,” Zhu Zhu countered.

Zhu Yuanzhang was momentarily dazed, as if the boy with his childish hairstyle lying on the bed was one of the venerable officials in the hall of state affairs.

“Did Master Song teach you that? You skip school every day and with only a sliver of knowledge in your head you think you can lecture me on governance?”

Zhu Zhu pouted. If it weren’t for his own interests being involved, he would rather play the fool every day. As a man from the future, he knew well that the Zhu family’s enfeoffments were nominal after the Jingnan Campaign during Yongle’s reign. Zhu Zhigao, the fourth prince, could never allow successors to imitate him. Even if he had been alive then, he would have been like other princes, exiled to remote lands, confined and reduced to raising pigs, with his descendants forever trapped inside that cage-like princely city.

One was the rightful crown prince by law, the other the child of destiny. Zhu Zhu could not afford to offend either. Besides, without enfeoffment, Zhu Zhigao would have no grounds for rebellion, and his nephew Zhu Yunwen no reason to curtail the princes. As a modern man, Zhu Zhu had ambition, but not much. Being a prince was already the pinnacle of nobility; wouldn’t it be better to live happily and carefree, a leisurely prince waiting for death?

“Father, although I dislike studying, I haven’t stopped reading books.”

“What do you usually read, Second Son?” Zhu Yuanzhang asked with sharp eyes.

“Uh, I’m currently reading the Zizhi Tongjian,” Zhu Zhu replied. He had intended to say the Four Books and Five Classics but feared it would give his father an excuse to punish him. In his past life, having received higher education, he only knew a bit of the Analects among the Four Books and barely touched the Spring and Autumn Annals within the Five Classics. The Zizhi Tongjian contained much historical content suitable for middle and high school, so it should be harmless.

But Zhu Yuanzhang’s gaze was like a torchlight, as if it contained a cold gleam in the flickering candlelight. After a long silence, he ground his teeth and finally uttered through clenched lips, “Second Son, be honest with me. Do you harbor improper thoughts about the throne?”

Oh no, I was careless and didn’t dodge! Damn it, the Zizhi Tongjian was a banned book in the Song dynasty, compiled by Sima Guang as a textbook for emperors, with the core theme of imperial statecraft. Anyone other than the emperor or crown prince reading it was considered treasonous.

Although this was the late Yuan era, the book was still forbidden. Only the heir apparent’s study in the entire Wu princely mansion had a copy. And I, unfortunately, had recently complained that my bamboo pillow was too hard and forcibly borrowed this heavy tome from my eldest brother as a pillow.

Who would have known that a modern man like me could buy pirated copies of the Zizhi Tongjian for a few dozen yuan on the street? Who am I supposed to complain to about this?

Old Zhu rubbed the thick volume with the golden characters on the cover, freshly taken from beneath Zhu Zhu’s head, biting his lip in fury.

Father and son sat in silence, staring wide-eyed at each other; even the air felt frozen.

Madam Ma entered carrying a bowl of lotus seed soup, breaking the heavy atmosphere.

“Zhu Zhongba, you’re old enough. Do you really need to take your anger out on a child?”

“Sister, this little rascal is quite bold. Do you know what book he’s been reading?” Zhu Yuanzhang’s expression was like a parent who sees their child sneak off to an internet café or play on a phone after finishing homework, full of frustration and disappointment as he waved the book in the air.

Taking the bowl from Madam Ma, Zhu Zhu curled up in a corner by the bed, wincing from sitting on his sore bottom but silently spooning the soup into his mouth.

“That’s enough. It’s just a book. The Song dynasty fell over a hundred years ago. What difference does it make if the child reads it? You, Zhu Zhongba, can handle state affairs in the court. But the backyard is managed solely by me.”

Madam Ma patted Zhu Zhu’s head with affection and said, “In your eyes, only the heir apparent is your real son. But to me, Zhu Zhu, Zhu Ying, and the child I raised, Zhu Di, are all my own. My poor children. Not only did they endure hardship for your great cause, but they also suffer punishment.”

“You always say you’re distant from all the children except the heir apparent. But when have you, as a father, ever worried about whether they’re fed and clothed while your mind is occupied with state affairs?”

“Zhu Zhongba, I’ve made up my mind. When the realm is pacified, I’ll take him to his fief, and the two of us will no longer trouble your eyes.”

Madam Ma wiped her tears and scolded him.

The usually imposing Grand Marshal Zhu Yuanzhang was now flushed with embarrassment, turning in circles helplessly, unable to say a word.

Covering himself with the quilt, Zhu Zhu saw him flailing about like a wild monkey and couldn’t help but laugh aloud.

“You little bastard, how dare you…” Zhu Yuanzhang’s finger hadn’t even pointed when Madam Ma pushed him away, scolding fiercely, “Taking your anger out on the child! Zhu Zhongba, you think you’re something special now? Get out! The backyard’s no place for you.”

“If you’re so brave, don’t beg me to come back.”

Pushed out the door, Zhu Yuanzhang spat harsh words and fled in embarrassment.

...

“Cuckoo, cuckoo…”

General Xu Da, drunken and returning from a gathering with comrades, thought he was hallucinating.

What bird could be calling so late at night? Hearing a familiar birdcall, he staggered with the help of his guards toward the far corner of the Xu mansion’s wall.

“Zhuzi, I’m just going to relieve myself here. You take the men back first.”

“General, we’re almost home. Can’t you wait?”

“No nonsense. I like it here. Now scram.”

He gave the captain of the guards, Zhuzi, a shove. Zhuzi covered his face, crying as he ran off. All he wanted was to pee, why get hit too?

...

After ensuring no one was around, Xu Da covered his mouth to make a rooster’s crow, and a figure leapt down from the ten-foot wall, clapping his hands.

“Big Eyes, you’re loyal. We haven’t used that signal in so long, and you still remember.”

The general scratched his head awkwardly, scolding inwardly: When we were kids, you made me steal chickens as a plan. You always slipped away quietly and got beaten up while I took the blame. How could I forget?

Outwardly, he said respectfully, “Your Highness, is there a great matter that brings you here at such an hour?”

“Nothing major. Just thought of our old brotherhood. It’s been too long. I missed you, so I came to see you.”

Zhu Yuanzhang looked serious, but there wasn’t a single guard in sight beside him. Suspicious, Xu Da said, “If there’s nothing, Your Highness, why not issue orders for the old brothers to gather at the mansion?”

“No need for such trouble at midnight. Just the two of us, some dishes and a drink.”

Zhu Yuanzhang put an arm around Xu Da’s shoulder with a chuckle.

Yeah, right. Coming to my house drunk instead of sleeping with your wife? What schemes are you cooking up?

If not for the fact that both were henpecked husbands, Xu Da might have thought Zhu Yuanzhang was after his wife.

After dismissing the servants, Xu Da quietly opened a side door. Two burly men sneaked into the study.

Xu Da pulled a bottle of wine from a hidden compartment under the desk like a magician.

Zhu Yuanzhang took it, uncorked and sniffed, “Xifeng wine, at least ten years old. Good stuff. You’ve been hiding good wine quietly.”

“With my wife watching at home, I rarely get to drink. But now, Your Highness is here.”

“Alright, next time if you hide good stuff without sharing, I’ll have to punish you for treason.”

Xu Da pouted. Not even emperor yet and already acting like one.

“I’ll fetch some snacks from the kitchen.”

“Also get peanuts and pig’s ears.”

...

After locking the back door, Xu Da sighed in relief and returned to the study like a conjurer producing plates of snacks from his wide sleeves. Zhu Yuanzhang looked at the table full of dishes and smiled, “You live well. Did the cook make this?”

Xu Da waved proudly, “I’ve honed this skill out of necessity.”

Both men were henpecked; Zhu Yuanzhang gave a knowing glance. If not for life’s pressures, who would steal General Chang Yuchun’s rough wine every day? The two kindred spirits filled their cups and toasted, “One cup to life, one cup to freedom.”

“Yes, yes, one cup to life, one cup to freedom.”

...

Early morning, Lady Xie, unable to find her husband, hurriedly pushed open the study door. She covered her nose, enduring the heavy smell of alcohol.

Preparing to scold her husband, she was dumbfounded.

Two grown men lay at opposite ends of the couch, entwined as one. General Xu, drunk and dazed, hugged the other’s foot as if gnawing on a pig’s trotter. Lifting the corner of the quilt, she saw the man’s face and paled. How could the prince be in our mansion?

Lady Xie was both pleased and angry. Pleased that the prince and her husband had a long talk all night, showing intimate relations between sovereign and minister; angry that her husband slept with the prince, meaning she might be left alone in the future.

After a fierce inner struggle and dreams of a fourth child, she twisted her waist and knocked on the gates of the Wu princely mansion.

...

Early that morning, Zhu Yuanzhang sat yawning at the head of the council, listening to officials’ reports. One ear was swollen like a fan. The old comrades beneath exchanged glances and stifled laughter.

“All right, if it’s nothing serious, don’t hold it in. If you want to laugh, just laugh.”

A roar of laughter erupted from the rough soldiers led by Xu Da and Chang Yuchun. The civil officials, led by Li Shanchang and Liu Ji, tried to maintain decorum, holding their official hats. If not for the shaking tablets covering their faces, you’d know they were laughing too.

“Xu Tiande, you laugh the hardest. Don’t forget, your share of the embarrassment is yours alone.”

“Your Highness, arriving at Xu’s mansion at midnight, I made sure to treat you like a guest.”

Xu Da would never admit that his wife ran to Madam Ma, letting all of Yingtian know that Zhu Zhongba was kicked out by his wife at midnight.

“I hear General Xu Tiande has a daughter named Xiuyun, clever from childhood. I intend for my second son, Zhu Zhu, to follow the custom with your eldest daughter in the Chang household as a betrothal. What do you think?”

The fierce soldiers and civil officials nearby were full of envy, eager to compete for such a match. But when they heard the groom was Zhu’s second son, those with precious daughters all stepped back three paces. Everyone in Yingtian City knew Zhu’s second son was infamous—stealing glances at palace maids at three, kicking widows’ doors at six. His reputation was worse than the latrine outside the Yingtian prefecture office.

“I don’t consent,” Xu Da said, banging his head on the table, his voice low and stern. Marrying my daughter to that filthy boy? Isn’t that pushing my treasure into the fire? How would Xu’s family still hold their heads up in Yingtian City?

“Xu Dayan, do you dare defy the imperial order?”

“I ask Your Majesty to revoke the decree. I swear I will never comply.”

“Very well. Xu Tiande, you deny the marriage?” Zhu Yuanzhang strode forward like a powerful lord, brandishing a paper—a marriage certificate.

Xu Da stared dumbfounded. Not only was his name on it, but also a bright red seal.

Then he roared, “Zhu Zhongba, you tricked me?”

He shouted loudly, but Zhu Yuanzhang pretended deafness, ignoring him. What’s wrong with letting someone insult you for taking another’s daughter? Besides, it’s family now.

Like a victorious rooster, Zhu Yuanzhang returned to his seat, clicking his tongue. “Issue an edict: promote Xu Da, Xu Tiande, to hereditary defender of Yingtian, never to be revoked. Xu’s eldest daughter, virtuous and intelligent from youth, is granted the title Lady of Jiangning County.”

“Congratulations, Tiande, double blessings in one day. I’m envious,” Chang Yuchun, rising rapidly as the top military man, patted Xu Da’s shoulder. Though his daughter had no fief, she was already the crown prince’s wife and destined to be empress. As for the defender of Yingtian, it was mere trifle compared to being the future father-in-law. His gaze held sympathy.

Other generals like Feng Sheng, Fu Youde, Geng Bingwen, Zhou Dexing, and Tang He showed mixed feelings—envying the Yingtian post but mocking the idea of being the father-in-law to Zhu’s second son.

Xu Da forced a bitter smile, feeling conflicted. Since Chang Yuchun enlisted, he rose swiftly from a mere soldier to grand marshal. Xu excelled at discipline, Chang at leading charges—different arenas. Chang’s rise in rank and alliance with the crown prince subtly overshadowed Xu. Even his officers shifted allegiances. The crown prince’s deep strategy might be balancing the court. Had the groom been Zhu’s third son or even the fourth, it would be fine. But Zhu’s second son, as foul as a stone in a latrine? What to do?

Drinking caused trouble. A good night’s drink lost him his precious daughter. How to explain this to his wife?

...

“I won’t go! Mother, you can beat me to death, but I won’t go,” Zhu Zhu clung to a pillar, shaking his head like a rattle.

“Will you get down or not? I’ll have your father whip you with his shoe, believe that!” Madam Ma, future Empress Ma, wielded a feather duster, poking the son climbing the pillar.

The Xu family’s eldest daughter was charming and well-read, already mastering the Three Character Classic at three. In contrast, the unpromising second son, nearly nine, still clung to half an Analects without understanding. Madam Ma was completely satisfied with this match.

“Has the Xu eldest daughter wronged you? Are you deliberately trying to anger me to death today?”

Seeing her mother clutch her chest, Zhu Zhu reluctantly climbed down.

“Don’t be angry, Mother. I know I was wrong.”

“Come with me to meet your future mother-in-law and father-in-law.”

Zhu Zhu felt utterly hopeless. Damn arranged marriages! I haven’t even grown a hair yet and already have a fiancée assigned. Not that Xu Miaoyun was bad, but historically she was the original wife of the fourth son. The hatred of father’s murder and wife’s theft—aren’t you forcing my brother to fight me someday? Old Zhu, you really are messing things up.

In the Xu mansion’s main hall, the two families sat separated by a long table. The instigator, Old Zhu, sat as if nothing happened, holding a teacup, eyes fixed on nose, nose on mouth, mouth on heart, like a wooden sculpture.

Opposite him, General Xu clenched his teeth, breathing heavily, knuckles cracking as if about to crush his teacup.

Zhu Zhu suspected that if he hadn’t come with his father and mother, General Xu might have smashed the cup as a signal, and the executioners hidden behind the screen would have descended to tear him apart.

Nearby, Madam Ma held Lady Xie’s hand, chatting affectionately.

And across from him sat the serious little girl, Xu Miaoyun, a mere five years old.

The delicate little girl, guided by her nanny, imitated adults, holding a cup of tea and shyly greeting, “Daughter-in-law Miaoyun greets Grandfather.”

Old Zhu nodded approvingly. For ordinary families, engagement meant betrothal. For someone destined to rule the world, exchanging marriage certificates was as good as a royal marriage. Backing out like in plays was possible, but consider whether your nine clans would thank you from the afterlife.

This scene infuriated Zhu Zhu. Even if his heart could accept his fourth brother, as a modern person who valued propriety and virtue, he could never tolerate such beastly three-year betrothals.

So, trembling, he took out a letter. Xu Da saw the two glaring characters on the envelope and immediately changed expression, thunderously shouting, “You little toad… you dare to break off the engagement? You must have a death wish.”

Just as Xu Da opened his mouth to curse, he looked at the unsmiling Old Zhu beside him. Calling Zhu’s second son a toad trying to eat swan meat was basically insulting Old Zhu.

Xu Da’s daughter being betrothed to Zhu’s second son was already painful enough, but to have him try to break the engagement? Once word got out, how would Xu’s family live in Yingtian? They’d become the city’s biggest joke. Dogs barking at them on the street would be an everyday occurrence.

The more Xu Da thought, the angrier he got. The nanny, standing beside three-year-old Xu Miaoyun, not knowing how to explain “breaking off an engagement” to a child, stammered, “Breaking off means not wanting you anymore.”

Upon hearing this, Miaoyun’s face crumpled and she burst into tears. Seeing his beloved daughter so heartbroken enraged Xu Da further. He slammed the table and shouted, “Hui Zu, bring me my sword! If I don’t cut down this brat today, I am no father!”

“Father, take the sword,” the honest Xu Huizu said without hesitation, disregarding his revolutionary brotherhood with Zhu’s second son. Instead of wooden swords at the training ground, he threw out the treasured sword hanging in the study.

Seeing Xu Da draw the gleaming sword, Zhu Zhu immediately ran for his life, clutching his head.

Zhu Yuanzhang sat quietly like a meditating monk, sipping tea and gazing out the window.

As Xu Huizu closed the door, Zhu Zhu’s eyes filled with despair. Turning back, he saw Xu Da brandishing the sword, charging like a whirlwind.

Damn it! You’re really serious? Wielding a sword against a nine-year-old? Do you know how much psychological trauma that causes?

Old Deng, are you playing for keeps?

Zhu Zhu dodged left and right, squeezing into narrow gaps beneath tables, chairs, and among vases—all to avoid the flashing sword. The sight was both skillful and heartbreaking. What could he do? He had a father who loved the thrill of the chase.